The
dancing and folklore ensemble “Ihna“,
which was founded in
1971, has become one of the best-known German dancing groups, due to
performances in numerous German cities, several European countries and
even
outside Europe. They
have presented their programmes in Brazil,
the USA, Mexico, Canada, Russia and
South Africa. The ensemble also took part in several TV programmes, for
example
in „Berlin is worth a visit“ (presented by Hans Rosenthal and Maria
Hellwig),
in „Songs-Rhythms- Melodies“ (presented by Dagmar Berghoff and Petra
Schürmann), in “Songs that are like bridges“ (presented by Carolin
Reiber) and
, last but not least, in “The Folk Music Charts“ (presented by Carolin
Reiber and
Elmar Gunsch).
The repertoire
of the so-called Tanz und Speeldeel “Ihna“ can easily fill a whole
evening's
show, consisting of old German folk dances, cult dances and guild
dances, of
folk songs and dance medleys which
display authentic customs and traditions.
The
Dance of Swords,
a highlight, is even mentioned in
Tacitus’ “Germania“. It´s the oldest German dance on record. A lot of
the
dancing sequences are of a narrative character. For example there´s the
story
of Hans and Liese und the custom of getting fresh spring water on
Easter
morning . On Easter Sunday, the girls had to go to a spring to get
water. If
they succeeded in washing in it without laughing or showing their
teeth, old
traditions promised them one year of
exceptional beauty. Of course there was
a lot of fun in this for the young men. They trapped up the
girls on
their way and tried to make them speak or laugh.
Another performance shows a traditional wedding, which used to last
three days
and three nights. At midnight ”Schimmel” (a white horse), ”Schnabbuck”
and
their masked leader with a muc ado came in to the wedding from the
street.
Schnabbuck, a goat-like monster, made all guests get on chairs and
tables in an
attempt to get away from his playful attacks. All this, in accordance
with the
story that is told, has been put into a choregraphy of dancing steps
and
gestures.
In this narrative way, folk dances accompany the periodic feasts of the
year
and important stages of the farmer´s year. With “stories without words”
the
dancers and musicians fascinate their audience.
From
the beginning, the artistic management of the ensemble has been in
the hands of Eike Haenel. For his choreographies, the discovering of
old
customs and of numerous dances, which he reconstructed carefully and
with great
understanding, the native of Pomerania has been awarded several
cultural
prizes. Obviously, the folklore of Pomerania and Northern Germany is of
special
interest to the dancers of the dance and folklore ensemble “Ihna” . It
took
its name from a river in Pomerania and all
the national costumes the dancers wear
come from this region: the costumes of Pyritz, of Belbuck, of Jamund
and of the
Kashubian people and , last but not least, the
Mönchgut costumes of the fishermen and their wives on the Isle
of Rügen.In spite of their remarkable artistic achievement all the active members of Tanz- und Speeldeel “Ihna” are amateurs.
